Most people work for at least 40 years but rarely nowadays is a full career spent with one employer.

More and more people aren’t simply changing jobs, they’re starting over in entirely new careers and, for many, that means a return to studies. However, not all returning students have the time or the flexibility to devote to an undergraduate degree and if they’ve been there, done that, it’s not always necessary to start from scratch.

In some cases, an unrelated undergraduate degree can be useful. James Barret completed a science degree before deciding he wanted to be a lawyer.

Law is becoming more interdisciplinary,” he said.

I did a clerkship in Sydney and one of the practice areas I worked in was intellectual property which has a lot of people who have done science degrees.”

There are a lot of judges now who also have science degrees. For example, former Chief Justice of the High Court Robert French studied physics and Annabelle Bennett, who recently retired from the Federal Court, did aPh.D. in Biochemistry.”

Mr Barrett is in his third and final year of the Juris Doctor at ANU College of Law. During that time he has completed an Aurora Internship with the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation where he worked on a native title claim against a major mining corporation in the Pilbara; won two national mooting competitions – the pinnacle of competitive debate for law students; taught legal literacy to inmates at the Alexander Maconochie Centre; and he travelled to Trump-heartland, Alabama for an Australian-United States Comparative Law course.

Being a JD has never held me back from getting involved in the opportunities ANU Law offers,” he said.

If you have the time then being a postgraduate doesn’t stop you from living the law school experience.”

Law and legislation relate to every industry – be it science, humanities, education, primary industries or the arts – and JD graduates with a multidisciplinary resume have an added advantage. A Bachelor of Communications would be a particularly strong asset.

Jacqui Maujean was half a mark short of entry into the Bachelor of Laws at ANU so she pursued her Plan B, a Communications degree. She worked in public relations in Sydney, London and with the Federal Government before turning her attention back to law.

It was an unfulfilled dream,” she said.

My work was fine but I didn’t love it, and I’d always had in the back of my mind that I wanted to do law.”

Ms Maujean juggled full-time work and part-time study for three years which she described as hard work but also rewarding. She said the quality, reputation and expertise of ANU Law’s academic staff had helped her maintain her commitment to the course.

It gets you through the hard slog when, for example, you’re being taught Constitutional Law by Professor Michael Coper, a leading expert in the profession,” she said.

This year she has left her job to study full-time and pursue some of the internships and opportunities offered through ANU Law.

Meanwhile, Mr Barrett has begun his legal career by working as a paralegal with the Australian Government Solicitor.

Further Information

Discovered a passion for law you never knew you had?

Why not enrol in a postgraduate law degree online. The ANU Juris Doctor (online) is uniquely designed for part-time students seeking to study online with one of the world’s top-ranked law schools. The ANU Juris Doctor (online) allows students with a non-law Australian bachelor degree, or international equivalent, to gain the academic qualification needed for a career in law, legal practice and related sectors.

This post is proudly sponsored by the Australian National University, College of Law.

Legal Notice

The contents of this publication, current at the date of publication set out above, are for reference purposes only. They do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Legal advice about your specific circumstances should always be sought separately before taking any action based on this publication.

Upgrade your Inbox

BucketOrange Magazine is the first boutique online legal publication created exclusively for young Australians.

BucketOrange: Made With Love

Some think love can be measured by the number of times their heart races. Others think love can be declared with diamonds, flowers or grand romantic gestures. But we think love can only truly be demonstrated by actions. It can be found in the little things, like making a mixtape, or peeling an orange for someone because you know they don't like doing it.

That's why we created BucketOrange Magazine. We understand that sometimes in life the things that are good for us come in inconvenient packages. Exercise is important, but requires dedication. Eating well is crucial, but requires discipline. Maintaining your legal health is critical, but the law is hard to digest.

BucketOrange is a hand-crafted labour of love. With each word we unpeel the law's greatest mysteries into bite-sized segments - so all that's left for you to do is consume, enjoy and share the love!